Brake lines

jarama79

Full member
This will sound like a really stupid problem..but. Leaking seal on one of the front calipers, drained the fluid then unscrewed the caliper from the s/s brake line. Changed the seals and a good clean up etc. screwed the caliper back onto the line but..the line is now twisted and I can't seem to get the twist out. I have changed the seals a few times now over the years and don't recall having this problem. I've tried taking the fitting apart, screwing the bottom threaded bit into the caliper, then screwing the line back on (caliper not on fork) but I still end up with a kinked line. What am I doing wrong here? ???  Stuart
 
on many of the braided steel brake lines the banjo fittings can swivel to adjust the fit. Some can swivel just by hand, others (like the recent set I got from Wolfgang) I had to use two pairs of pliers, one to hold the top of the jointed fitting, and the other to move the bottom of the fitting. Some may not be adjustable at all, but seeing as how your fitting seems to have moved during dis assembly/re assembly, my guess is that your fitting will swivel if you apply some careful pressure....... and I know this because the set I got from Wolfgang did not line up and I think he thought I was even more of an idiot than usual when I called him to ask if he had sent the right set as it was not at all obvious to me that the banjos could be moved...... ::) ::) ::) :-[
 
Paul, I spent 3 hours trying to puzzle this out! I was hopeful that there would be a sort of 'floating' fitting but for the life of me I can't seem to get it untwisted. I'm sure the answer is bloody obvious....just can't see it at the moment!  Stuart
 
As Paul said, you need to twist the banjo fitting in the direction required. May need pliers to hold the line and turn the banjo.
 
It's a Goodridge s/s hose and fittings. Can't provide a photo I'm afraid as still a complete tit when it comes to mobile phones/cameras etc. Off up to the garage now, hopefully if I stare/scowl at it long enough it will sort itself out! :D  Stuart
 
I wonder then if the socket (tapered part that fits over the braided line) has loosened against the main body (banjo), causing the misalignment.  I believe that Goodridge warn that this joint should not be loosened to attempt adjustment....it crimps a brass olive onto the PTFE inner which is compressed onto a spigot that is part of the main body.
 
hanks for that Rob, I did pull the spigot out but soon found out that you can't lose the twist from the bottom end. That leaves the top end at the splitter, and I've managed to get the thing lined up ok again. As I said before I've changed the caliper seals a few times now and I really can't remember ever having to fanny around like this. and it's just reminded of something I hate beyond description-brake fluid! I've always (foolishly) gone for el cheapo brake bleeders, the ones with a length of tube and a one way valve. How many times does the flimsy tube pop off the nipple(fnurr!) and spray effing brake fluid effing everywhere! So I'm gonna take the plunge and get a decent bit of kit, anyone here in the UK recommend anything? Stuart
 
Sorry to hijack the thread ...

Are the full length braided hoses (doing away with the lower steel pipes) road legal in Australia?

Time for complete renewal of my old lines.

Cheers,

Rob
 
Basketcase said:
Sorry to hijack the thread ...
Are the full length braided hoses (doing away with the lower steel pipes) road legal in Australia?
Time for complete renewal of my old lines.
Cheers,
Rob

depending on brand, yes, full length brake lines are legal

have seen some being sold that have threaded fittings on them which I always believed were illegal here
we have our brake lines made on site by a mobile auto hose guy and he uses swaged fittings


 
Basketcase said:
Sorry to hijack the thread ...

Are the full length braided hoses (doing away with the lower steel pipes) road legal in Australia?

Time for complete renewal of my old lines.

Cheers,

Rob

Don't understand... you guys happily run open meggas on the road, modify the bikes beyond recognition, yet have second thoughts on replacement brake lines?

puzzled piet
 
I don't think it's owners having second thoughts. It's what the rules dictate. Brake hoses have to comply with a regulation of some sort, and carry a tag ring to show that they were assembled by a licenced brake hose man in compliance with the standard.

I don't think the roadworthy rules have anything to say about, disk rotors, master cylinders, calipers, caliper adaptors, levers, linkages, torque stays, etc. You can cobble together any kind of shitty home-made braking system you like as long as the hoses have a compliance tag on them.  ::)

Some roadworthy inspectors enforce the hose compliance issue, some don't. Luckily my local bloke doesn't, so on the last couple of bikes I've fixed up, I've made up my own brake lines with braided hose and compression fittings (not swaged). While they may not be strictly legal, they've gotta be better than the perished old original rubber things that do actually comply with the regulation.

 
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